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Subject:
First report of a spruce needleminer, Batrachedra pinicolella, in North America

Date posted: May 13, 2005

Source:
Maier, 2005

Batrachedra pinicolella (Zeller, 1839), a Palearctic needleminer of spruce (Picea spp.), was discovered for the first time in North America in Litchfield, New Haven and TollandCounties of Connecticut.Besides spruce, this Lepidopteran pest also attacks fir trees (Abies spp.) and on rare occasions can be found on pines (Pinus spp.).Widely spread throughout Europe and occurring in eastern Russia, larval B. pinicolella will mine needles of spruce trees causing needle loss and discoloration.